The upcoming public auction was the main topic of discussion at the regular monthly meeting of the Red Springs Chamber of Commerce board members last Wednesday.

This year, instead of having its annual plate sale in the spring, the Board has decided to conduct a public items of donated goods by businesses and individuals as one of the Chamber’s two major fundraisers held throughout the year.

“We will be using this as our one of two fundraisers this spring, replacing the plate sale we’ve had over the last few years,” said Chamber president Tony Dellinger of BB&T Bank. “I wasn’t around when the (Red Springs) Rotary Club was doing it, but what I hear, it was a success, they had a lot of fun at it, along with lots of fellowship. That’s what we want to do as a Chamber this year. We need help from all the businesses and individuals (and couples) in town by donating items to be auctioned off. This is just something we are starting here this year and hopefully, we can build on it in the future.”

Plans are to hold the auction on Saturday, April 4, with a meal beginning late that afternoon around 6 p.m. with the auction beginning at 7 p.m. that evening. The event will be held in the Red Springs Community Building on Cross Street.

According to the Chamber’s executive director Fran Ray, small items or big items would gladly be accepted for the auction. Tickets to the auction will be sold beginning sometime in March. Follow up letters will be going out to all present members of the Chamber.

“we want this to be a big, community event,” Ray stated recently. “We do real well with our golf tournament in the fall, though.” Any large donated items that need to be picked up will need to call George Hall at the Red Springs Town Hall for pickup. Ray said that herself or any board member can be called if there is an item to be donated. There will be a silent auction of items that night, too.

Posters announcing the auction will be going up soon throughout the town.

In other business, Ray reported that membership dues are slowly coming in. Another letter will be going out about Chamber dues and that those that are members are asked to talk to their neighbor about joining. Several new Red Springs businesses have already joined the Chamber for the upcoming year.

Businesses, civic groups, churches, schools, individuals and/or couples are welcome to join the Chamber. If interested, contact Ray at 910-843-5441 or stop by the Chamber office at 225 South Main Street (across the street from the Red Springs Post Office). Membership dues assist the Chamber in many ways and if one has not received their membership letter, contact Ray as soon as possible. The annual 2009 membership drive runs through this coming Monday, February 16, but one can join anytime throughout the year.